Abstract: A computer-aided surgical device for aiding a surgeon in positioning a surgical instrument (power or manual) when performing surgery on unexposed and exposed portions of a patient.

Abstract: To aid a medical practitioner in positioning a surgical instrument or implant when performing surgery on or examining portions of a patient, patient data is developed which identifies the position and orientation of the portion to which surgical procedures or examinations are to be applied. The position and orientation of the instrument or implant is sensed and instrument data is developed from this sensing. The patient data is converted to objective signals to be displayed on a video display, and the instrument data is converted to instrument signals for presenting the position and orientation of the instrument or implant on the same display. Thus, by watching the display, the medical practitioner is aided in manipulating the instrument or implant relative to the portion.

Abstract: A patient whose leg is to be operated on is disposed on an operating table under a surgical drape. The leg to be operated on is supported by the universal leg holder which includes facilities to expose as few parts thereof as possible to the sterile field whereby only a minimum number of parts will have to be auto-claved. The parts which have to be auto-claved can either be broken down or telescoped so that only small sized parts will have to be auto-claved.

Abstract: A method of performing 3-dimensional skeletal analysis on a patient using an apparatus which includes a digitizer, the digitizer being adapted to accept either a scanning digitizer tip or a point digitizer tip, includes the steps of placing the patient in a variety of positions relevant to musculoskeletal problems and performing a series of rolling scans, with the scanning digitizer tip and single point landmark digitizations of musculoskeletal landmarks, with the point digitizer tip to obtain 3-dimensional skeletal data. The data is analyzed in order to provide clinically relevant 3-dimensional information relating to musculoskeletal quantities and imbalances. An apparatus for carrying out the method includes an upright column support and a retractable column support movable along the support column for supporting the patient. A digitizer measures the position of a point, or a group of points, on the patient's body in 3-dimensional space.

Abstract: An article of wearing apparel, to be worn on the upper body of a subject, includes a portion for covering the back of the subject. Sensors for sensing the changes in posture of the subject and providing electrical signals proportional to the degree of change in posture are removably mounted on the portion for covering the back of the subject. Electronic circuitry analyzes the electrical signals to provide an output, which can be sensed by the subject, when the posture of the subject deviates from a pre-set postural position by a predetermined amount. The electronic circuit is disposed in a carrier which is also removably mounted from the article of clothing apparel.

Abstract: A method for measuring parameters relating to the stability of joints in a patient's body includes the steps of securing a reference portion of the joint (that portion of the joint closest to the body) to a fixed location. A three dimensional digitization of the size, shape, position and coordinate system of the two portions is performed. A soft tissue compensation procedure is performed by applying forces to the reference portion of the joint to thereby determine the amount of reference portion motion, in the soft tissue surrounding the reference portion, due to these forces. A variety of forces are applied to the relative portion of a joint, which is movable relative to the reference portion thereof, and the total motion of the reference and relative portions associated with the forces are measured.